Novak Djokovic kicked off the new season at the ATP 250 event in Brisbane. The Serb competed at this event for the first time since 2009 and failed to chase the milestone 100th ATP title. Novak suffered a 7-6, 6-3 defeat to world no. 293 Reilly Opelka!
It was Djokovic's toughest defeat in terms of the opponent's ranking in almost 15 years. Reilly played like a top-10 player and deserved Novak's praise. The Serb hailed the rival's tennis, calling it amazing and describing the American's triumph as completely deserved!
Reilly is returning after a couple of challenging years. He performed against the legend like he never left tennis, producing a high level in his games and earning a crucial break in the second set that carried him through. Opelka felt zero pressure against the 24-time Major winner.
He unleashed fire from his serve and forehand, staying in touch with Novak from the baseline and keeping the pressure on the other side. Reilly fired 35 winners and 30 unforced errors in his career-best win. The giant server backed those numbers with 34 unreturned serves.
Novak played his first match since October and could not breakthe rival's rhythm. The American defended his backhand nicely and endured the exchanges. He took the pivotal points to seal the deal in style and send the top seed packing.
Opelka produced clinical serving behind the second serve, dropping only two points and denying the only break point. Djokovic had to work hard in two service games. He saved three break points in the opening set before experiencing a costly break in the second.
They stayed neck and neck in the first eight games of the duel, reaching 4-4 in 25 minutes! Reilly made a push on the return in the ninth game and earned three break chances. Novak kept his focusand denied them, remaining on the positive side.
Those were the only chances for the returners, and three comfortable holds sent them into a tie break. The American clinched a mini-break in the fifth point with a forehand winner before losing a point on serve at 4-2. Djokovic rattled off three points for 5-4.
However, he faced a set point after Opelka's two winners. Djokovic denied it before losing a point on serve at 6-6 after the rival's smash winner. Reilly closed the opener with an ace, bringing the first part of the duel home in 57 minutes.
The Serb earned his only break chance in the third game of the second set. The lower-ranked player saved it with a serve & volley combo and held for 2-1. The American gamed a boost and converted the second break point in the next one with a forehand winner for 3-1.
Thus, world no. 293 moved a set and a break in front, keeping the strings of the duel firmlyin his hands. Reilly held at 15 for 4-1 and painted a forehand winner two games later for 5-2. Novak extended the battle with a hold in game eight.
However, Opelka sealed the deal with an ace at 5-3, celebrating his career-best win and earning honors from the greatest player of all time.
"Amazing tennis, Reilly. Absolutely deserved," Novak Djokovic wrote.
